Address given at the Law Service, St James King St on Matthew 26:17-30. What are we doing here today? It is called a service of thanksgiving and dedication. But does it make any sense, or is it like an obsolete ritual reminiscent of boarding school chapel? I want to try to answer this question, beginning at a place in which we may all have a justifiable interest, namely food and drink. But not any old occasion for a party.

Our whole community must be greatly concerned at the news of the escalation of violence between Muslim and Christians groups, particularly near the town of Poso in Central Sulawesi in Indonesia, our near neighbour. Already many people have been killed, hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and there is increased fear that further disturbance and bloodshed will add to the already massive death toll. Reports say that many Christian churches and villages have been destroyed.

‘Fundamentalism’ is an ugly word, with a fearful significance. Strangely, it began life well, almost a hundred years ago. Powerful forces within our culture sought to deny the orthodox Christian faith. Humanity seized the central place, demanded freedom from God and called for the end of the authority of the Bible. In the face of modernistic attacks on the Bible and orthodox Christian faith, a number of evangelicals issued booklets defending ‘the fundamentals’. On the whole these ‘fundamentalists’ made sober attempts to guard the truth; perhaps they were not radical enough, given the challenge of modern thought. Certainly it became a popular movement in the sense that its booklets were often aimed at the mass market rather than the scholarly world.

We have witnessed once again an act of malice, wickedness and gross evil perpetrated against the innocent. Our first response was a sort of stunned disbelief, as though we were watching a disaster movie from which we would soon emerge, entertained and smiling. But this is the real world, not a make-believe one.

We are all stunned and horrified at the violent scenes from the US that we watched on our TV screens through the night and this morning. Our hearts are overflowing with sympathy for the American people, especially those in New York and Washington, and above all for the families who are bereaved, and for those who are suffering and injured. It is a fearful tragedy.

Deep Impact: Sunday 19 August at State Sports Centre, Homebush. What do they think of us? The Melbourne based journalist Kate Nancarrow recently went shopping for a religion. She has lots of religious contacts, but no faith of her own. The Sun-Herald published her report cards on all of us. The Roman Catholics scored 6 out of 10, the Seven Day Adventists 2; the Salvation Army 8. Anglicans were awarded 4.

Christianity boasts in the cross of Christ. Christian buildings display the cross: that is how they are known even in street directories. Christian graves often display the cross. War memorials use the cross. Christians often wear a cross. The class rooms of many Catholic schools display the cross. We are sealed with the sign of the cross in baptism. The greatest hymns of Christendom are based on the cross. The cross adorns our banners and distinguishes our processions. The most solemn day of the church's year is an extended meditation on the cross. The Holy Communion is centred especially on the cross. Of the many symbols connected with Christianity there is none so pervasive, so powerful, so instantly recognisable as the cross. Christianity boasts in the cross.

You may be bored; you may be glad; you may be stirred — but some of you are afraid. This ancient pageant marks a transition to office, to power. All the pomp is intended to make the transition legitimate. Power is clothed in dignity to hide its menace. The outward show is intended to reassure us: human beings may validly possess authority. But the question of power remains.

The critical moment of my life was the 1959 Billy Graham Crusade. Two things happened. First, I became a definite, committed, evangelical Christian, living for the Lord Jesus Christ. Second, a challenge from Mr Graham led me to the ministry of God's word.

This edit version of Archbishop Jensen's Halifax-Portal address was published on page 4 of The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 5th April. The role of the Christian churches in Australia today is to speak the truth in love. But one of the most notable features of the churches is our almost total lack of intellectual significance. There are individual Christian academics who make distinguished contributions in their fields and sometimes those fields have religious connections and connotations.

This opinion article from Dr Jensen was published on page 4 of The Australian, Friday 5th April. I am disappointed that the Prime Minister is not proposing a ban on embryonic stem cell research to the COAG meeting today. I am also heartened that Mr Howard intends to regulate strictly the use of unwanted human embryos from the IVF program, and especially that he will require donor consent for this embryonic research.

For many Sydneysiders Easter means one thing – the Royal Easter Show. It is a time for fun and to enjoy the good things that God created for us. When the bush comes to town we also think of the hard times those who work the land endure. We rightly honour our rural brothers and sisters for the sacrifices they make from which we benefit.

It was a holy night, but not a silent night. All was not ‘calm and bright’ the night Jesus was born, despite what we sing in the Christmas carol. In reality, Jesus was born in the middle of noisy, chaotic human struggles.

The French Revolution is one of the great events of world history. Its well-known slogan was "Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!" Each of these words is worth considerable thought; we want them for ourselves. Indeed they may be said to have Christian roots or connotations.

What is man? Throughout history great minds have tried to define us as a species, but the essence of humanity has proved hard to pin down. "Man is a featherless biped", Plato concluded, although he was somewhat dissatisfied with this as a definition. "Man is a reasoning animal", wrote Seneca, echoing Aristotle. "Man is a tool-using animal", said Carlyle, anticipating modern anthropology. Man is "a poor, bare, forked animal", wrote Shakespeare in his habitual pessimism about humanity.

This year’s Halifax-Portal lectures have caused a flurry of debate following the lectures from myself and Dr George Pell, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney. In delivering the first of the four Hailfax-Portal lectures I explored the following thesis: the role of the Christian churches in Australia today is to speak the truth in love. This is what we have failed to do effectively.

Schools ministry is a key to the success of our mission and goal. Scripture in public schools and the work of our independent schools must be given high priority. It is these ministries that give us contacts with the largest section of our community.

Archbishop Jensen responds to the survey of Synod members.

Archbishop Jensen responds to the survey of Synod members regarding the Diocesan Mission Statement and his goal.

The recent spate of arson attacks on Churches and Mosques, undoubtedly inflamed by the current situation in the Middle East, should remind us of the fragility of our civil society. Racist ideas lead to violence, and if they are politicised into ideology, they can lead ultimately to genocide.

We have witnessed once again an act of malice, wickedness and gross evil perpetrated against the innocent. Our first response was stunned disbelief, as though we were watching a disaster movie from which we would soon emerge smiling. But this is the real world, not a make-believe one.

Controversy has folowed my recent call to take Christ to the work place. There have been dire warnings about harassment and discrimination and the spectre of religious wars has been brought out, dusted off and given a run.

One of the most significant changes over the last thirty years is in the area of personal evangelism. When I first went to College to train for the ministry, many of us only had the vaguest idea about how to witness effectively. Most had never shared the knowledge of Christ, and felt unable to do so.

No doubt there are many things that a new Archbishop should say to a Diocese, but I can only think of one theme for a very first word - the Lord, Jesus Christ. In his beauty and glory, he is the supreme argument for the truth of the gospel and he is the focus of our faith, our love and our obedience.

From the Religion Report site: "The Governor-General, Dr Peter Hollingworth, stands bloody but unbowed while calls for his resignation grow louder. We ask: is he being targeted by old enemies? How much responsibility does the Prime Minister bear for the current mess? Who is qualified to offer forgiveness to perpetrators of child sexual abuse? And how deep is the wellspring of concern for children in Australia? " Read the interview here.